Chapter 56
The first day went quietly for Jess, in terms of the scouting at least. Jump space remained as smooth as the maps suggested it should be. There was no need for the Wanderer to explore alternate courses or to head back to warn the fleet.
With little to occupy his mind, Jess found himself thinking about Ali much of the time. He would recall her touch, her smell, her voice and her laugh… all the things he loved. All the things he missed desperately.
Then memories of Ali, of how she was after the Taint took hold, would intrude, taunting him and driving him between rage and tears. Sometimes it almost felt like those memories had a mind of their own, like they were coalescing inside his mind to launch attacks.
Angrily he rose from the pilot’s seat and headed back to the livin
